'Reggae's Gone Country' enjoys rousing launch

Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer

NEGRIL, Westmoreland:

The various artistes' album, Reggae's Gone Country, took off with a big bang at Breezes Grand Resort and Spa in Negril on Tuesday night, with a unique reggae infused with country music party in the main dining room of the hotel.

The party was unique in that it is not often that a number of high-end reggae artistes perform in one hotel in one night. It was a rare treat for the guests and staff at the all-inclusive resort.

The Reggae's Gone Country album features top Jamaican artistes doing covers for classic country music, an idea that came about two and a half years ago when Cristy Barber, vice-president of marketing and promotions at VP Records, decided that the idea would give reggae a much-needed push.

Barber is co-producer of the album with saxophonist Dean Fraser, country singer Charlie Pannachio and Raymond Barber, her father.

"My purpose for doing this is not record sales, but rather to get exposure for the genre (reggae)," Barber said. "All genres are suffering, but I spent 20 years in it and my commitment is to reggae music and I wanted to do this project so the masses can see the talent that we have down here," she added.

"I worked for the Marley family and they knew Bob, but do they know Freddie McGregor? They might know Sean Paul, but do they know Romain Virgo? They might know Sly and Robbie, but do they know Dean Fraser?" Barber questioned. "The more we expose our talent, the more we get people to come down here for the reggae parties," Barber also said.

The album features reggae greats proving their versatility by singing covers of country songs, handpicked by Barber.

Romain Virgo teamed up with legendary country singer Larry Gatlin from the Gatlin Brothers to do the 30-year-old hit California. He'll have To Go was recorded by Luciano, while Richie Stephens, who has already done a few covers, took on Wolverton Mountain.

Etana did Crazy; Tarrus Riley recorded The Chair, while He Stopped Loving Her Today was done by Beres Hammond.

Duane Stephenson was the man selected to do Suspicions, while Tessanne Chin had a go at Don't It Make My Brown Eyes.

Gramps Morgan was in the line-up on the album and he was asked to sing Feels So Right, while King of the Road was done by Freddie McGregor. Sanchez had Marty Robins' El Paso, while the group L.U.S.T. had a whale of a time recreating Flowers On The Wall. Busy Signal did the final track, The Gambler.

After the media launch, all heads turned to centre stage where some superb 'want some more' performances were done.

All the artistes on the album were not present, but those who were there did justice for their missing friends as they reeled out the recorded piece plus one of their favourites.

Virgo closed the show with shouts of 'more', after teaming up with Larry Gatlin, and then by himself. Busy Signal was there, so was Tarrus Riley, Etana, Freddie McGregor, L.U.S.T., Duane Stephenson and country singer Bradley Gaskin.

Barber was overwhelmed with joy at the launch, saying that it would be impossible without the help of the Issa family.

"I owe the night to Zein (Issa) and her family, because she loved the idea so much that she rolled out the red carpet and brought my dream to life."

Barber said that a similar launch is planned for Nashville, Tennessee, the home of country music.